Study in the United States

With more than four thousand universities and colleges, the US is the world's largest study destination. You need an F-1 visa to study and, after graduating, can work on OPT (up to 3 years for STEM fields). Turkish and Georgian students can apply; student visas for Iranian passports have been suspended since 1 January 2026.

Requirements and steps

1. Admission to an approved university and a Form I-20
2. Pay the SEVIS fee and complete the DS-160
3. Show funds for tuition and the first year's living costs
4. Set your social media accounts to public for consular review
5. Interview at the embassy in your country of nationality or residence (Turkish nationals: Ankara or Istanbul; Georgian nationals: Tbilisi)

Key points for 2026

• Interview waivers have largely ended since September 2025.
• The fixed admission period rule (a maximum of 4 years) was finalised in July 2026, but a court blocked it nationwide in September 2026; "duration of status" still applies.
• OPT and STEM OPT remain in place; proposals to change them are not yet law.
• The $250 "visa integrity fee" is collected at some consulates.

If you hold an Iranian passport

F-1 and J-1 visas are suspended for Iranian passports. To study in the West, consider the UK or European countries. Iranians with a second nationality are not covered when using the other passport. Details

Frequently asked questions

Can Iranian students get an F-1 visa?

Not on an Iranian passport since 1 January 2026, unless they hold a second nationality from a country not on the ban lists.

Does OPT still exist?

Yes. OPT and STEM OPT remain in place in October 2026.

Do I have to make my social media public?

Yes. Since June 2025 student visa applicants must make their accounts public for consular review.

Position as of October 2026; litigation over student rules continues.